This suffix is mainly used with nouns of relationship and human names to give respect. Also, it is used with ‘a’ ending human nouns to make them plural or to give respect to a single person.

Nouns of relationship with respect:

amme ಅಮ್ಮೆ >>> ammer ಅಮ್ಮೆರ್ (Father)

palaye ಪಲಯೆ >>> palayer ಪಲಯೆರ್ (Elder Brother)

aNNe ಅಣ್ಣೆ >>> aNNer ಅಣ್ಣೆರ್ (Elder Brother)

bhAve ಭಾವೆ >>> bhAver ಭಾವೆರ್ (Brother in law)

ajje ಅಜ್ಜೆ>>> ajjer ಅಜ್ಜೆರ್ (Grand Father)

Human names with respect:

rAma ರಾಮ >>> rAmer ರಾಮೆರ್ (Rama)

krishNa ಕೃಷ್ಣ >>> krishNer ಕೃಷ್ಣೆರ್ (Krishna)

harIsha ಹರೀಶ >>> harIsher ಹರೀಶೆರ್ (Harisha)

‘a’ ending human nouns in plural forms or with respect:

javana ಜವನ >>> javaner ಜವನೆರ್ (Young men/youths)

paraba ಪರಬ >>> paraber ಪರಬೆರ್ (Old men)

kalva ಕಲ್ವ >>> kalver ಕಲ್ವೆರ್ (Thieves)

buddhivanta ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತ >>> buddhivanter ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತೆರ್ (Wisemen)

pedda ಪೆದ್ದ >>> pedder ಪೆದ್ದೆರ್ (Fools)

tuluva ತುಲುವ >>> tuluver ತುಲುವೆರ್ (Tuluvas)

baNTa ಬಂಟ >>> baNTer ಬಂಟೆರ್ (Bunts)

sadasya ಸದಸ್ಯ >>> sadasyer ಸದಸ್ಯೆರ್ (Members)

rAja ರಾಜ >>> rAjer ರಾಜೆರ್ (Kings)

dEva ದೇವ >>> dEver ದೇವೆರ್ (Gods)

rakkasa ರಕ್ಕಸ >>> rakkaser ರಕ್ಕಸೆರ್ (Demons)

gurikAra ಗುರಿಕಾರ >>> gurikArer ಗುರಿಕಾರೆರ್ (Presidents/ head men)

This form is used for both making plural nouns and giving respect when speaking about a single person. However, sometimes the nouns like ‘dEver’ is used as a singular noun with respect and can be pluralized by adding an additional ‘lu’ suffix (dEverlu).

This suffix is mainly used with non-human nouns to make them plural. Also, it is used with human nouns which do not end in ‘a’ sound to make them plural or to give respect to a single person.

Non-human nouns in plural forms:

petta ಪೆತ್ತ >>> pettalu ಪೆತ್ತಲು (Cows)

nAyi ನಾಯಿ >>> nAyilu ನಾಯಿಲು (Dogs)

mara ಮರ >>> marakulu ಮರಕುಲು (Trees)

dai ದೈ >>> daikulu ದೈಕುಲು (Plants)

sudae ಸುದೆ್ >>> sudekulu ಸುದೆಕುಲು (Rivers)

pakki ಪಕ್ಕಿ >>> pakkilu ಪಕ್ಕಿಲು (Birds)

pili ಪಿಲಿ >>> pilikulu ಪಿಲಿಕುಲು (Tigers)

pU ಪೂ >>> pUkulu ಪೂಕುಲು (Flowers)

angi ಅಂಗಿ >>> angilu ಅಂಗಿಲು (Shirts)

bUku ಬೂಕು >>> bUkulu ಬೂಕುಲು (Books)

Human nouns (which do not end in ‘a’ sound) in plural forms or with respect:

dani ದನಿ >>> danikulu ದನಿಕುಲು (Masters)

pagemAni ಪಗೆಮಾನಿ >>> pagemAnilu ಪಗೆಮಾನಿಲು (Enemies)

naramAni ನರಮಾನಿಲು >>> naramAnilu ನರಮಾನಿಲು (Human beings)

mantri ಮಂತ್ರಿ >>> mantrilu ಮಂತ್ರಿಲು (Ministers)

rAjakAraNi ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿ >>> rAjakAraNilu ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಲು (Politicians)

guru ಗುರು >>> gurukulu ಗುರುಕುಲು (Gurus)

svAmIji ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ >>> svAmIjilu ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿಲು (Swamijis)

pUjAri ಪೂಜಾರಿ >>> pUjArilu ಪೂಜಾರಿಲು (Poojaris)

AN ಆಣ್ >>> ANulu ಆಣುಲು (Boys)

poNNu ಪೊಣ್ಣು >>> poNNulu ಪೊಣ್ಣುಲು (Girls)

You may think what is the difference between suffixe ‘lu’ and ‘kulu’? Why some nouns take ‘lu’ suffix and some take ‘kulu’? Why the plural form of ‘pili’ is ‘pilikulu’, but the plural form of ‘petta’ is ‘pettalu’ and not ‘pattakulu’? If you remember TuluLesson 3: Simple Present Tense, you know there are two types of conjugations in Simple Present Tense depending on the ‘matras’ (meters), a root verb takes to pronounce. The same rule applies here. If a noun takes 2 ‘matras’ to pronounce, then the suffix ‘kulu’ is used to make them plural. If a noun takes more than 2 ‘matras’ to pronounce, then the suffix ‘lu’ is used.

pili >>> pi + li >>> 1+1= 2 matras

petta >>> pet + ta >>> 2+1= 3 matras

nAyi >>> nA + yi >>> 2+1= 3 matras

pU >>> 2 matras

Native Tulu speakers can use these suffixes appropriately without knowing about this rule. However, some may do mistakes when they come across some rarely used nouns or new nouns. Knowing this rule may help new learners to avoid mistakes when using plural forms in Tulu.

That’s all we had today. To avoid any confusion, here is the summary of today’s lesson.

To make relationship nouns plural, use the suffix ‘allu’. (appaellu, palayallu etc.)

To give respect when using relationship nouns, use the suffix ‘er’. (ammer, ajjer etc.)

To give respect when using human names, use the suffix ‘er’. (rAmer, krishNer etc.)

To make plural or to give respect when using human nouns which end in ‘a’ sound, use the suffix ‘er’ (kalver, paraber, tuluver etc.)

To make plural or to give respect when using human nouns which do not end in ‘a’ sound, use the suffix ‘lu’ or ‘kulu’ depending on the ‘matras’. (danikulu, mantrilu, gurukulu, naramAnilu etc.)

To make all non-human nouns plural, use the suffix ‘lu’ or ‘kulu’ depending on the ‘matras’. (pettalu, pilikulu, pakkilu etc.)

If you find this lesson helpful, please share it with your friends who wish to learn Tulu J

Friday, 25 August 2017

“enku paNambUrugu pOyilekAND” (It’s like Enku went to Panambur) is a Tulu saying. Enku is a foolish guy who once went to Panambur for no reason. When anyone is seen going to somewhere for no reason or anyone go to somewhere and return fruitlessly, then people say “enku paNambUrugu pOyilekaAND”. There is a folk story behind this saying which I am going to tell you in Tulu today. I will not translate this story to English/Kannada as I think it will not help you to learn Tulu language. But I will explain the meaning of each word used in the story in English. Read the story completely first and try to understand it in Tulu. If you didn’t understand any of the words, then you can look at meaning in English. Here is the audio file you can listen while reading the story.

21. baroDu = should come (Potential Mood); pOdu baroDu = should go and come; ‘mbae’ suffix used to address people (“mbae’’ is the male form and “de” is female form). It is extremely informal and can only be used to address close friends, siblings or younger people.

63. indambae = Hey; ‘indambae’ used to address people (‘indambae’ is the male form and ‘indade’ is the female form; ‘indaya’ is gender-less form which can be used for both male or female). It is extremely informal and can only be used to address close friends, siblings or younger people. (‘indeye’ is the respectful form used to address elders)

Also, these particles are used to change interrogative
pronouns into indefinite pronouns and exclamatory expressions.

Examples:

Er – Era – Someone / Wonder
who!

Erna – Ernana – Someone’s /
Wonder whose!

enchina – enchinana –
Something / Wonder what!

dAda – dAdana – Something /
Wonder what!

dAne – dAnna (dAne + na) –
Wonder what!

vou – vovva - Something /
Wonder which one!

Et – Eta – Wonder how much!

Epa – Epana – Sometime /
Wonder when!

Olu – Ola – Somewhere /
Wonder where!

ODe – Odena – To somewhere /
Wonder whither!

onchi – onchiya – To
somewhere / Wonder whither!

Tulu:

Person A: Era ninan
lettonduller

Person B: Er?

Person A: Era! enk gottuji

English:

Person A: Somebody is calling you

Person B: Who?

Person A: (Wonder who) I don’t know!

Kannada:

Person A: yAro ninnannu karItiddAre

Person B: yAru?

Person A: yAro! nanage gottilla

Tulu:

Person A: Ar Epa barper?

Person B: Epana!

English:

Person A: When he/she will come?

Person B: Wonder when! (I don’t know)

Kannada:

Person A: avaru yAvAga bartAre?

Person B: yAvAglo!

Tulu: Ayeg dAdana At’ND

English: Something has happened to him

Kannada: avanige Eno Agide

Tulu: akulu mUle Ola uppoDu

English: They should be here (only) somewhere.

Kannada: avaru ille ello irbEku

Tulu: mokulu ODena pOyer

English: They went somewhere

Kannada: avaru elligo hOdaru

‘dAnna’ is used to express doubt and commonly placed after
the word with the interrogative particles.

Tulu: Aye illaD ullena dAnna!

English: Maybe, he is at home. I am not sure!

Kannada: avanu maneyalli iddAno Eno!

Tulu: aleg dAda ANDa dAnna!

English: I am not sure what happened to her!

Kannada: avaLige Enu Ayto Eno!

‘la’

This can be used as a simple adverb in English “too/also” or
an emphatic particle which can be translated as “even” or a conjunction “and”.

Examples:

Tulu: appaela magalla batter

English: Mother and daughter came

Kannada: tAyiyU magaLU bandaru

Tulu: nAyila puchchaela gobbondulla

English: Dog and Cat are playing

Kannada: nAyi mattu bekku ADuttive

Tulu: enk nAyilena pODigae ApuNDu

English: I am afraid of dogs.

Kannada: nanage nAyigaLa bhaya Agtade

Tulu: enkla nAyilena pODigae
ApuNDu

English: I am also afraid of dogs.

Kannada: nanagU nAyigaLa bhaya Agtade

Tulu: enk nAyilenala pODigae
ApuNDu

English: I am also afraid of dogs.

Kannada: nanage nAyigaLidU bhaya Agtade

The English usage of “also/too” is unclear. The sentence ‘I
am also afraid of dogs’ could mean “In addition to some other person, I am
afraid of dogs” or “I am afraid of dogs in addition to other things”. However,
the Tulu sentence is clear; 'la' succeeds the word that it modifies.

Tulu: yAnla niklenoTTugu
barpae

English: I will come with you too.

Kannada: nAnU nimma jote bartEne

Tulu: yAn dAda paNpae aven malpuvaela

English: I also do what I say

Kannada: nAnu Enu hELtEne adannu mADtEne kUDa

Tulu: yAn onji gaNTaela
jeidijae

English: I have not slept for even an hour.

Kannada: nAnu ondu gaNTeyU kUDa malagilla

Tulu: Ar enan lettijer

English: He/She didn’t call me

Kannada: avaru nannannu karililla

Tulu: Arla enan lettijer

English: He/She also did not call me

Kannada: avarU nannannu karIlilla

Tulu: Ar enanla lettijer

English: He/She did not call me too

Kannada: avaru nannannU karIlilla

Tulu: Ar enan lettinla
(lettini+la) ijji

English: He/She didn’t even call me

Kannada: aavaru nannannu karilU illa

Tulu: yAn ayen lett’NDala
battije

English: Even though I called him, he did not come

Kannada: nAnu avanannu karedarU avanu baralilla

Tulu: akulu battijerDala Ir
baroDe

English: Even though they do not come, you should come in
any case

Kannada: avaru baradiddarU nIvu barale bEku

‘la’ is also used to change interrogative pronouns into
indefinite pronouns

Examples:

Er – Erla – anyone

Erna – Ernala – anyone’s

enchina – enchinala –
anything

dAda – dAla – anything

vou – voula – any of them

Et – Etla – Any quantity / Sufficient

Epa – Epala – Any time /
Always

Olu – Olla – Anywhere

ODe – Odela – To anywhere

onchi – onchila – To anywhere

Tulu: illaD Erla ullera?

English: Is there anyone home?

Kannada: maneyalli yArAdarU iddAra?

Tulu: EreDala pAteroDchi

English: Don’t speak with anyone

Kannada: yArallU mAtADabEDa

Tulu: enk dAla boDchi

English: I don’t need anything

Kannada: nanage EnU bEDa

Tulu: namak pariyerae Etla
nIr uNDu

English: We have sufficient water to drink

Kannada: namage kuDiyOke sAkashTu nIru ide.

Tulu: sUrye Epala mUDAyiD
mUDuve

English: The sun always rises in the east

Kannada: sUrya yAvAgalU pUrvadalli mUDuttAne

Tulu: Aye Olla tOjuje

English: He is not visible anywhere

Kannada: avanu ellU kANuttilla

Tulu: Ir ODela pOvoDchi

English: You don’t go anywhere

Kannada: nIvu elligU hOgabEDi

‘gae’

This is a reporting particle which can be translated as “It
is said”. When reporting something said by others, we normally use ‘gae’ at the
end of sentences. Using ‘gae’ at the end of a sentence shows that the sentence
you said was not yours, but it was said by someone else or you got the news
from unknown source which cannot be believed true completely.

For example if some people said, "There is a bomb in
the bus" (Tulu: bass’D bomb uNDu) and you want to report that, you can say:

Tulu: bass’D bomb
uNDugae

English: It is said that there is a bomb in the bus

Kannada: bassalli bomb
ideyante

Let us see more examples:

Tulu: janokulu paNper Aye ori kalvegae

English: People say that he is a thief.

Kannada: janaru hELtAre avanobba kaLLanante

Tulu: Aye nikk kAtondullegae

English: He (or someone else) said that he is waiting for
you.

Kannada: avanu ninage kAytA iddAne ante

Tulu: akulu ellae barpergae

English: They (or someone else) said that they will come
tomorrow

Kannada: avaru nAle bartAre ante

Tulu: ini I nela ochchoDugae

English: It’s said that you should wipe the floor today

Kannada: ivattu nInu nela oresabEkante

‘pand’ / ‘ind’

These are not actually particles but past gerunds of verbs
‘paNpini’ (To tell/say) and ‘iNpini’ (To tell/say).